Monday, February 20, 2012

Oreo Pudding Poke Cake

I found this recipe on via pinterest off of thecountrycook.net a few weeks ago, and it looked to easy not to try it out. This is cake is surprisingly not too sweet...Kevin and the kids loved it. It kind of reminded me of a tres leches cake because it was so moist from the pudding. I think I may put some of the crushed oreos into the pudding mix next time to give it some added crunch!
Oreo Pudding Poke Cake
You will need:
-1 box chocolate cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
-ingredients on the back of box to make cake: eggs, oil, water
-2 (4oz) packages of instant OREO pudding mix
-4 cups milk (2% or higher)
-crushed oreos for topping
*Make cake according to directions in a well greased 13x9 inch dish.
*Just before cake is done start to make the pudding. In a medium bowl add milk to pudding mixture and continue to whisk until most of lumps are removed. Let pudding mixture sit for about 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
*When cake is done and still warm, poke holes all over. I used the end of a wooden spoon, and spaced them about an inch apart.
*Pour pudding mixture evenly over cake.
*Allow to cool on counter, then refrigerate for at least an hour for the cake to set. When ready to serve top with crushes oreos.




Sunday, February 19, 2012

Knock You Naked Brownies

I think I've found the perfect dessert. I saw these on Pioneer Woman's food network show a few weeks ago and tagged them to try out because she made them look so amazing...and they were! To me, these are a kind of a cross between a brownie and a turtle candy...the caramel is definitely the stand out. She made them in a small square baking dish, so her brownies were a little thicker. I opted for a 12x8 dish so I could stretch them a little further and they turned out perfect! Make sure and prepare your baking dish with a heavy coating of non-stick cooking spray so the brownies are easy to remove after slicing. And watch out, they might knock you naked:)
Knock You Naked Brownies
You will need:
-1 box German Chocolate Cake mix, I used Duncan Hines
-1 cup chopped pecans
-1/3 Evaporated milk
-additional 1/2 cup Evaporated milk (you won't need more than one can for this recipe)
-1/2 cup melted butter
-60 caramels, unwrapped (I used one whole bag...it was 54...I counted)
-1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate morsels
-powdered sugar to dust on top
*Preheat oven to 350 and spray a baking dish with a good coating of non-stick spray
*In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, pecans, 1/3 evaporated milk, and butter. Stir until totally combined, it will be very thick
*With your hand, divide the batter in half down the middle. Press half of the batter into the baking dish and bake for 9 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
*In a double broiler, or heatproof bowl set over sauce pan of boiling water, melt caramel with additional 1/2 cup evaporated milk. I don't have a double broiler so I set the caramels in a glass bowl over a saucepan with boiling water. Be patient, the caramels take a while to melt. You can probably do this in the microwave too.
*When melted and combined, pour caramels over the brownie base. Sprinkle evenly with semi sweet morsels
*Turn out remaining half of brownie batter dough onto counter or cutting board. Use your hands to shape it into a rectangle to fit over baking dish. You'll want to make it a little smaller than the dish. Use a spatula to transfer it to the dish and lay it on top.
*Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool. Then cover and refrigerate for several hours, or overnight. When ready to serve, dust with powdered sugar and cut into squares.


Thursday, February 16, 2012

Ham and Cheese Sliders

I made these ham and cheese sliders for dinner last week and they were a huge hit. I've been obsessed with all kinds of sandwiches lately, so when I saw these I knew I had to try them. I only used half of the original recipe...I think these are usually served as appetizers, but we made a dinner out of them! I chose to use small slider buns, but you could use dinner rolls, or even a package of Hawaiian rolls if you choose. These are super kid friendly sandwiches because they are the perfect size....and the poppy seed sauce is so good!

You will need:

For sandwiches:

-one package slider buns (I used Sara Lee), dinner rolls, or Hawaiian rolls

-about 1/2 lb. honey ham (from the deli...sliced not too thin)

-swiss cheese slices

-1/4 cup regular mayonnaise

-1/4 cup miracle whip

For poppy seed sauce:

-1/2 tbsp poppy seeds

-1 tbsp mustard yellow mustard

-1/3 cup melted butter

-1 tbsp finely minced onion

-1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
*In a small bowl combine mayo and miracle whip. Spread a thin layer on each side of slider buns.

*Place a slice of ham and slice of swiss cheese on each roll and top with other half, pressing down a little so the ham and cheese doesn't slide out. (I broke up my pieces of ham and cheese a little to fit the buns). Place rolls in a baking dish closely together.

*In a separate small bowl, whisk together all of the poppy seed sauce ingredients. Spoon sauce over tops of rolls. (You will probably not need to use all of the sauce, just enough to cover the tops)

*Let rolls sit on the counter for about 10 minutes until butter slightly sets. Then, cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 13 minutes or until cheese is melted.

*Uncover and bake for 2 more minutes or until tops of rolls are slightly brown and crispy. Serve warm.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers

I made these jalapeno poppers this past Sunday for Superbowl snacks, and I am obsessed with them. I got this recipe from fortheloveofcooking.net which has a ton of great recipes. Kevin and I put the kids to bed early and recorded the Superbowl so we could watch it at our own pace with no interruptions.....I think back to all our years "mainly pre-kids" when we attended fun Superbowl parties and find it hilarious that all I want to do now is curl up on my couch in my pajamas and eat good food. Funny how times have changed, but I wouldn't have it any other way. These jalapeno poppers were the perfect appetizer to the yummy filet Kevin grilled for us. I was scared they were going to be too spicy, but they were perfect....just make sure to get all the seeds out. Dip them in ranch like I did, or eat them by themselves...either way they are scrumptious.




Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers


*This is my alteration from the original recipe to suit our needs...this made 14 poppers


You will need:


-7 fresh jalapenos, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed


-8 oz cream cheese, softened (I forgot to sit it out so I microwaved it for a few seconds)


-7-8 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled finely


-plain panko bread crumbs


*First get the jalapenos ready. Slice in half lengthwise and removed the seeds and inner vein. I found the easiest way to do this is with a grapefruit spoon...if you have one, it works perfectly, if not just use a knife. Be careful not to touch your face or eyes while doing this!


*Preheat oven to 375 and line a baking sheet with nonstick foil. (I set the jalapenos on top of a wire rack, on top of the baking sheet...don't really think you have to though).


*Mix softened cream cheese with crumbled bacon.


*Smear each jalapeno half with cream cheese mixture.


*Pour some of the panko crumbs onto a plate. Dip jalapenos, cream cheese side down, in panko crumbs


*Bake at 375 for 22-23 minutes. Then set the oven to a LOW broil and broil them for about 2-3 minutes until tops are golden brown. Watch them carefully so they do not burn!!


*Serve immediately with ranch dressing if desired


these were so good.....


Here's where our superbowl night gets really pathetic....a few years ago we started the dorky tradition of doing superbowl square bets. I say dorky, because most of the time you do this with a large number of people. And bet money on it. Well, we figured we would make our night at home more interesting so Kevin made a full out superbowl square chart, and we each picked our slots (drew numbers and everything). We each wrote down a reward for each quarter of the game. The rewards got consistently better with each quarter. I won the first two, and of course, Kevin won the last two...the best ones. Here's a picture of our bets. If you're wondering what "full body" means, it means a massage. We take massages and back rubs very seriously in our house...I do at least. If the Giants hadn't decided to go for a 2 point conversion in the last few minutes of the game (for no reason) I would have won the last bet and have been a very happy girl. Notice how detailed I was in my house cleaning requests? Instead, Kevin gets to go fishing...for as long as he wants...whenever he chooses....with no complaining from me. Pathetic, huh?